These include understanding how nuclei can support the highest values of angular momentum, how shell behaviour, pairing fields, single-particle and collective structure of nuclei evolve near the proximity of the drip lines, how to understand properly the phenomenon of reflection asymmetry and shape coexistence in nuclei, the behaviour of the heaviest nuclei, and what are the properties of partonic/hadronic matter at extreme energy densities. We play leading roles in the development of new and innovative instrumentation that opens up opportunities for new discoveries at many of the world’s leading nuclear physics laboratories.
For more information on particular areas of research, please navigate through the links on our web pages.
Pear-Shaped Nuclei - The key science objective of this programmes is to investigate reflection-asymmetric collective motion, and hence understand the nature of the effective nuclear interacitons, and more fundamental forces in nature, through studies of nuclear properties.
Exploring the Limits of Nuclear Existence for Heavy Proton-Rich Nuclei - This research involves leading experiments at international accelerator laboratories probing nuclei at the proton-rich limit of the nuclear landscape.
Ground and Isomeric State Properties by Laser Spectroscopy - Performed at international "isotope factories", this research studies how nuclei change away from the valley of stability via the use of laser spectroscopy.
Shell Structure and Deformation at Ultrahigh Spin in Nuclei - This research investigates the atomic nucleus at the extremes of angular momentum that occur in different regins of the Segre chart.
Structure of Superheavy Nuclei - Using the SACRED electron spectrometer designed by the Liverpool group, in conjunction with the recoil separator RITU in Jyväskylä, this research investigates the low-lying states in even-even and odd mass superheavy nuclei, as well as measurements of long-lived high-K states that hold the key to the structure of superheavy nuclei.
ISOLDE Solenoidal Spectrometer - The ISOLDE Solenoidal Spectrometer is a newly constructed instrument for precision studies of inelastic scattering and transfer reactions induced by radioactive ion beams provided by the HIE-ISOLDE accelerator at CERN. The broad science programme addresses important topics in nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics.
Thermodynamics of Strongly Interacting Matter - This research exploits the ALICE and NuSTAR experiments and addresses several of the STFC Roadmap Science Challenges: How did the Universe begin and how is it evolving? What are the fundamental constituents and fabric of the Universe and how do they interact?
In addition, the Liverpool nuclear physics cluster has been playing a key role in the ALPHA experiment at CERN, dedicated for studies of antihydrogen. A unique Silicon Vertex Detector (SVD) has been designed and built in Liverpool to surround the ALPHA neutral atom trap. It forms the heart of the experiment and has enabled ground-breaking research.
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